The Burlington Vermont bike trail begins in South Burlington and ends up 12 1/2 miles later in Lake Champlain.  The last 2 1/2 miles are along a former railroad causeway where you have Lake Champlain on one side and on the other is Malletts Bay.

Sue and I walked on with our bikes to the 9:15 ferry from Port Kent, it was practically empty and it was a chilly morning, but sunny.

An hour later we docked in Burlington the sun was getting warm and we rode our bikes off the ferry and right to the trail which takes you through the newly landscaped lake shore park area.

The trail follows an old railroad right of way and you bike through neighborhoods, park areas and over bridges that were built just for the trail.  This is an iron railed cement bridge that is about 1/5th of a mile long and it  carries you over a bog area just after the large bridge.  Many people were using it on this weekday morning, joggers, Moms and Dads with strollers, walkers and bikers but it never seemed crowded.

The trail is mostly level with a paved bike way.  I'd say the last four miles are on dirt and fine gravel.  The causeway runs across Lake Champlain for 2 1/2 miles and it's wonderful to be able to look out either side and see spectacular scenery.

The causeway ends where there use to be a bridge                            From the trail looking towards the Adirondacks

Of course after the ride you are downtown Burlington with your choice of restaurants and things to do.

The ferry boat ride back in the warm afternoon sun is like being on a cruise ship.  It's one hour and the views of the mountains in both Vermont and Lake Champlain alone are worth the trip.

Return to Eating Art E-magazine Autumn 2004